Friday Night Lights: First Victory Over Giles

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This past Friday, August 30th, all Blacksburg football fans experienced something hardly anyone could believe: an opening winning game. The last good season anyone could remember was a whopping 8 years ago in 2016 when the Blacksburg football team won the state championships. Every year since, however, fans can recount the devastating seasons with not a single game won in 4 years. Last year, hopeful optimists finally had something to be happy about: 2 winning varsity games against Floyd and Rockbridge. Then, just last Friday, the opening game against Giles County High School was fiercely fought with a final score of 32-12 Blacksburg. Although this game does not guarantee what the average high school football fan would call a ‘good season’, this score could mean the start of a long-awaited ascent for the Blacksburg High School football program.  

Friday Night Lights are something almost every high school student here at BHS looks forward to, and the outcome made this one even more special. The energy was ablaze, the costumes on point, and the crowd showed up and showed out.  How did students this year enjoy the overall vibe of the game? “I was very excited and enjoyed following the entire game. I also had fun getting ready with friends,” said junior Cora Allen. Students also described the energy as vibrant, with the entire student section screaming and chanting to cheer on their peers. Football games bring the entire Blacksburg community together, and attendance seemed at a record level. Even middle and elementary came with their parents to cheer on their siblings, or run around and have fun with friends. 

The football games have many different aspects that the entire community looks forward to. One of the most exciting things is getting to dress up for each and every theme, and BHS students take this very seriously, going all out every single time. This week it was BEACH PARTY where students could be seen in a variety of colorful leis, coconut tops, and tropical button-ups. You are considered seriously uncool at the football games if you don’t participate in school spirit. Afterward, the bleachers were littered with evidence of fun: stray Hawaiian flowers, pom-poms, and signs. Upcoming themes include 24 karat gold, white out, jersey night, USA, and pink out. Need an outfit? Walmart is one of the top recommended places to get cheap costumes for every theme and if you’re an underclassman, many themes repeat every year so they will be put to good use!

Speaking of underclassmen, I was curious as to if the rule of seniority for the bleachers was followed accordingly. “All the seniors seemed to make it to the front row from what I saw. Personally, I was ecstatic to finally be able to be in the middle of the action after all this time. Even last year when most of my friends were seniors, I still had to stay behind,” said Senior Mirra Bowman. These seniors have been long awaiting the day when they would get to shake the front fence after years of “ONE STEP BACK” being screamed at them. (We do miss the class of 2024, but not their violence.) Our senior privilege is probably the most obvious, but what about the juniors or sophomores? “I spent most of the time hanging out with my friends rather than being invested in the game, but I still was annoyed with the many freshmen in front of me,” said Cora. Although it’s new and exciting, it’s recommended that underclassmen still follow the rules of the bleachers; you will get your turn!

The next games are anxiously awaited, especially with the spark of hope that this past game has given the community. Though not many students are planning on going, the very next game is this Friday, September 6th at Lord Botetourt High School; not too far away with a 45-minute car ride, if you’re looking for something to do this Friday night, come support the Bruins! The real importance, of course, is the next home game: Friday, the 13th, against Floyd County High School. We’re hoping it’ll be an unlucky day for Floyd, and not us! The theme is whiteout and we hope to see everyone there!

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Written by Audra Kowalik

Photography by Evangeline Taylor